Datta remittances

Refers to a “remittance euphoria” in neo-liberal circles seeing remittances as a new form of funding development.1 Equally among “International Financial Institutions” e.g. World Bank, IMF,2
Official remittances increased from $31.2 billion in 1990 to $ 167 billion in 2005.3
claim that the cost of remittance upon migrants is under-researched.4
migration policy driven by security rather than development concerns.5
Points to how “managed migration” leads to a stratification of migration. In encouraging migration of highly-skilled/skilled migrants (arguably from the more affluent sectors of the Global South) and restricting low-skilled migration, especially under the points regime, the role of remittances becomes increasingly restricted.6
on average migrants send 20-30% of their income back in remittances. Refers to some Brazilians remitting up to 65%7
Most remittances are “altruistic” sent for the subsistence/health/education of family members in home country.8
Many Brazilians have migrated to the UK with the objective of saving enough money to set up a business in Brazil.9 Many Brazilians also involved in paying off debts, either previous debts, or debts incurred to migrate.10
Remittances generated by working long hours in poorly paid jobs.11 payment by hour means loss of pay if absent due to emergencies.12
process of de-skilling linked with complaints of maltreatment by employers.13 undocumented migrants unable to defend their rights before employers.14
A8 acession causes tension with workers from other countries with whom they compete. Gap between Eastern European workers and those from the Global South.15
difficulty of pressure to remit. Many migrants underestimated the cost of living in the UK when choosing to migrate.16 Coping strategies (1) sharing accomodation (2) multiple jobs (3) minimising consumption (even of essentials such as food; or taking the bus/walking instead of tube)17
loneliness (often compensated through regular phone calls) and shame of jobs carried out in UK.18 sensation of being part of an “underclass” (especially undocumented migrants)19






1K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 1.
2K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 3.
3K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 3.
4K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 8.
5K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 9.
6K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 10–12.
7K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf, 14.
8K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 14–17.
9K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 18.
10K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 18–19.
11K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 21.
12K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 22.
13K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 22.
14K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 23.
15K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 23–24.
16K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 25.
17K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 25–26.
18K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 26–27.
19K Datta, C Mcllwaine, Y Evans, J Herbert, J May & J Willis, Challenging Remittances as the New Development Mantra: Perspectives from Low-Paid Migrant Workers in London, (London: Queen Mary University of London, 2006) available online at www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/remittances.pdf , 28.